Did Mussolini make the trains run on time?

In this podcast episode, we delve into the popular belief that Benito Mussolini made Italian trains run on time. While his regime cleverly cultivated this image to boost its international standing and showcase efficiency, the truth is more complicated. Improvements in train services mainly favored elite travelers and tourists on specific routes, leaving the overall railway system, especially in the south, underdeveloped and neglected. Ultimately, this claim turned out to be more propaganda, fueled by manipulated statistics and censorship, rather than a reflection of reality.